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The details of the SAC's 2002-2003 budget have generally
indicated sound fiscal judgments with regards to the distribution
of funding to school organisations and activities. With
a sizable budget, the SAC was able to make generous allocations
to numerous clubs and the grants were generally looked upon
by most as being fair and appropriately sized. Overall,
though the budget was successful, there are still points
of contention worth examining. Inevitably, not all club
expenditures were subsidised by the SAC, as many clubs did
not receive as much money as they requested. Upon examination
of the various clubs' grant request forms and the SAC budget,
it is generally difficult to determine which activities
the SAC decided to fund, and which it did not. However,
the SAC willingly provided justification for their choices
when asked by the MFP.
Teens as Community Tutors asked for $180 to cover the admission
fares of their pupils on an excursion to the Science Centre.
Although the reasoning behind this request - covering the
cost of the trip for underprivileged children - is honourable,
these pupils do not attend Martingrove C.I., and therefore,
should not benefit from SAC card revenues. However, upon
questioning from the Martingrove Free Press, SAC Treasurer
Phil Lee stated that TACT only received a portion of their
total grant requested, because the pupils' admission costs
were deemed as an inappropriate expenditure.
The SAC's grants to the religious groups, the Christian
Fellowship and the Voice of Islam, raised some questions.
The Christian Fellowship requested $150, but received $200,
while the Voice of Islam requested $275 and was only granted
$200. This raises the question why the two organisations
could not have received the amounts that they requested
- giving both clubs their requested amount would also constitute
equal treatment in this case, the needs of both clubs could
be met.
Also of concern is the confusion between administrative
and student funding of various events. When SAC cards are
purchased, it is understood that the money is being spent
towards funding school organisations and events for students,
rather than administrative responsibilities. Over one quarter
of the Boys' Athletic Association's costs outlined on their
budget request form were attributed to providing refreshments
for activities in which students had no integral role or
direct concern, such as parent-teacher interviews, parent
council meetings and grade eight parents' night. Fortunately,
an agreement was reached whereby the administration, not
the SAC, would provide the necessary funds. It must also
be noted that improvement has been shown in that the SAC
was not required to cover any of the costs of commencement
this year. Regardless, SAC card revenues should only be
paying for activities and matters that are within the SAC's
responsibilities.
In order for students to be receiving good value and appropriate
use of the money that they invest in SAC cards, it is imperative
that it be spent towards activities and events that benefit
MCI students. To their credit, the SAC has fulfilled this
objective, and it is important for future budgets to be
managed in a similar manner that will ensure a fair, equitable
and suitable distribution of money.
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